Month: December 2014

It’s the last day of the year. [insert freak-out] Okay … My mind is in mini-vacation mode already [a four-day weekend ahead does that] or maybe it’s simply sleep-deprivation [hello, New Year’s resolution!] so I will keep this short and sweet. After skipping the good good links on Sunday in favour of family time during the holidays I’m bringing them back today. Meaning you’ll get two of these this week with the next one coming on January 4th – in the new year already! We’ll talk again tomorrow for some Thinking out loud but until then:

Now what was that?? I don’t know about you but I can never believe how quickly Christmas passes again year after year. Within the blink of an eye it’s back to the daily grind of non-festiveness. Before that all rolls in, though, how about a marvelous little look back at Christmas 2014? Celebrated the untraditional way as you’ll see in a minute.

* I still consider myself a child because as long as we have parents that’s what we are, no?!

One thing that remained the same, though, was our traditionaldinner on Christmas Eve. Thank goodness. Missing out on grandma’s Rotkohl would have legitimately broken my heart. I mean it. The obsession is so strong I couldn’t wait but have a bowlfull the minute we arrived at my parents’. There was more than Rotkohl on the menu, though. Semmelknödel [that my mum actually prepared the vegan way using soy flour in place of eggs as per my suggestion – she was a fan], potatoes, a vegan seitan roast my sister made from scratch, brussels sprouts and obviously dessert. But that one comes with a slightly deeper background story that I’ll share on Thursday for my next time thinking out loud.

I feel we need a little close-up of the Rotkohl goodness because it truly is the best. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get my grandma to write down the recipe to share on the blog because she’s a little secretive about it and never prepares it the same way. Her cooking style is the classic grandma way: some of this, some of that and, oh hey, let’s add that jar of homemade jelly, too.

Untraditional was our tree. Now here’s the big change and major shock to me: we didn’t have a Christmas tree. Or not an actual one. Do you remember what I said about my family’s stance on fake trees? I’m not sure into which category this one would fall. Without my knowledge my parents and sister had decided to go a different route this year [and possibly those to follow?!]. Say hello to our environmental-friendlier tree!

My grandpa, sister and mum built it using old ply woods and tree branches they cut or found in the woods. It was hard to get used to the idea for me but once lit in the dark room it worked a charm at lending at least some of the traditional Christmas cheer. First blogger fail here, though, because I got no proper picture of the lit tree.

Traditional, however, was our family walk. Workouts fell wayside for me most days in favour of spending quality time with my relatives. It used to be a major stressor for me in past years. But – maybe due to seeing everybody even less in between – I focused on enjoying the days getting in exercise when I could but not fretting about missing a day or two. And definitely not cutting back on food. It’s a short time of the year only after all and I knew my answer to any ‘healthy’ holiday advice telling me to up my exercise if I wanted to indulge. Thanks but no, thanks. That’s not what the holidays are about.

It wasn’t until starting to write this post that I noticed I failed at taking pictures of my gifts. In my defense: I hardly took a lot of pictures in general this year. Don’t you agree we capture most memories of family time in our heads and hearts rather than on our cameras and memory disks in anway?

One more thing: this Christmas – for reasons unrelated to its untraditional ways – wasn’t the merriest I’ve had so far. But I’m all for looking on the bright – or: marvelous – side of things and choosing what I want to keep in mind the most. And there we have it: a short recap of my untraditional Christmas in the countryside. Now let me know about yours!

Happiness inducing today: My sister for listening and offering a different and encouraging perspective on some problems I’ve been facing. It always helps to share what’s on your mind with somebody else – we don’t need to know all solutions ourselves.

Usually, you’d find some of my favourite posts from the week here. This Sunday is a little different, though, because I just got back to my apartment [and at that my laptop] after spending the largest part of my week at my parents’. Quality time with the family took priority over blog reading so I don’t have anything to share today. But the good good links will be back on Wednesday so be sure to stop by for some great reads. Until then find out about my year in blogging and share some highlights of yours!

Now let’s talk about the holidays! How was Christmas 2014 for you? Big family gatherings? Intimate little get-togethers with parents and siblings only? Tell me in the comments!I’m always curious to hear about the different celebrations in between various countries and families.

Happiness-inducing today:Where do I even start? Despite some happenings taking away some of the holiday cheer I’m still incredibly thankful for my family and memories made during the past days.

Did everybody have a wonderful Christmas [or still celebrating depending on the time you’re reading]? Are you still nursing happy food babies or trying to find your presents below piles of wrapping paper ;)? However you’re spending these days I hope they are nothing short of aaaah-mazing.

1. You are not what you eat.– Vegetarian. Vegan. Paleo. Macrobiotic. Runner. Yogi. Cross-Fitter. Just because you’re having a steak for breakfast and lift heavy weights while I sing the praises of oatmeal and run doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.

2. [Your kind of] Balance is best.– Everybody’s talking about balance in every aspect of life. But there’s no ultimate one-size-fits all definition of what exactly ‘balance’ and ‘moderation’ are. Find your own and don’t let anybody tell you wrong.

3. – The one question to ask when reading “healthy” advice – A post I published just shortly ago but one very dear to me. With new healthy or actually not-so-healthy advice published at piece work rate it’s easy to get overwhelmed – and confused. Take care of yourself by asking this one question to steer clear of anything might affect you negatively.

TOP THREE FAVOURITE BLOGGER POSTS-

It looks like this whole survey involved hard decision for me. Okay, I’ll pick three and then tell you that I’d actually include a lot more from this year’s good good links.

1. Sam [Better with Sprinkles]– The Post-ED Identity – A very recent post but one that was serious food for thought and couldn’t have come at any better time for me. It’s a topic I think [and the comments on it tell] many people can relate to.

2. Lucie– Have a little … patience. – The one virtue I clearly don’t have: patience. Especially when it comes to expectations I’m having for myself. Why don’t I have my life figured out by now? Why am I not recovered yet? Why …? The many times we beat ourselves up when all it’d take would be: a little patience.

3. Carly– The Scale – No, the scale doesn’t lie. Not one bit. But: it doesn’t tell you more than a number. And you are way more than a number: your experiences, your happy and sad moments, accomplishments, friends, talents …

TOP THREE EVENTS OF 2014-

Given I don’t really go into details of daily life happenings these will seem somewhat random but here we go!

1. Moving into my first own apartment– Admittedly, I wasn’t thrilled about the prospect of moving and I still don’t feel completely at home in the city. But finding that I could still make it work and not be totally lost is an accomplishing thought.

2. Landing my first job post-graduation – Even though it’s just a temporary one [the job search will continue soon] it’s a great experience to work in the field I studied and truly enjoy. Writing has always been my passion and even in my short time here I got to meet many interesting people.

3. Growing my blog and finding my ‘voice’: During my first months and years as a blogger I wasn’t sure where I was going with it all. It’s still an on-going journey but these past months I’ve felt more in the groove. In the past I felt the need to join certain link-up parties every week. While I still enjoy reading or participating in them there are just times when I neither feel like it nor do I have relevant content – and that’s okay. I’d rather share what’s really going on in my mind.

TOP THREE MEALS OF 2014-

Not neccessarily all meals but rather food obsessions I noticed in my diet this year.

1. Vegan buffets – Imagine a buffet laden with various stir-fries, grain dishes, chili, goulash and lasagna – all vegan. Yes, please. I got to experience this full-on deliciousness a few times and it was good. Very good.

2. Crunchy Chickpea Protein Bars– Talk about a true obsession. I’ve been making at least one batch of these for office snacks ever since I posted the recipe. As I ran out of a few ingredients I can’t find around here anymore I also experimented with the recipe and will have to update it.

3. Polenta– This one was a real surprise for me because previously I not only wasn’t too fond of it but snarked about the much overlooked cornmeal. Then all of a sudden – bam! – I found myself craving it, picked up a package and ate it all of the time. Prepared the right way it is SO delicious not to mention way faster to cook than any other grain.

TOP THREE BLOGGING TRENDS OF 2014-

Cheating isn’t cool but I really can’t think of three. So two it is.

1. Sugar detoxes. Maybe it was a trend before already but I think it’s taken over completely this year. Sugar detoxes are all the rage in the blog world. I actually have a post planned on my view on the whole sugar debate – coming up after the holidays. (:

2. Full-time blogging and e-books. One positive “trend” [if you want to call it that] I noticed was a lot of bloggers quitting their jobs and turning their blogs into their full-time profession. Naming just a few there would be Davida and Monique. Also, many bloggers – including Davida again, Lee and Kylie. I’m seriously impressed and inspired by these ladies and others taking the plunge and it’s awesome to witness their [much deserved] success. It goes to show that blogging can be way more than a hobby. And isn’t it more than just that for many of us already?

————

Happiness-inducing today:Friends who are there to listen and calm you down whenever you need it.

Wherever in the world you are I hope you and your family are having a wonderful holiday filled with many hugs, maybe some snow (?), good food, gifts (not necessarily of the materialistic kind) and everything else you’re wishing for. Even if you don’t celebrate I still hope you’re having an awesome time!

Oh hello, 4th of Advent! If you’ve been following along these past weeks you’ll know I hadn’t gotten into the Christmas mood yet and it won’t surprise you when I say that the big day’s coming waaaay early for me this year. As in: I still haven’t gotten the majority of my presents or planned dinner. Not a worry for the non-vegetarians in my family but if I want a vegan roast or something along the lines I need to plan in advance. However, I already told you I couldn’t care less – as long as potatoes and that one side dish are around I’ll be a happy camper. Actually, I will be simply because it means I get to see my family again. I. can’t. wait.

Okay, enough Christmas ramblings: you came here for the good good links, no? You will notice that even after my post there are still a handful with holiday advice but that’s because they’re of the good kind. All that being said what’s left to say is: happy 4th of Advent/happy Sunday and enjoy the links!